"THE European Union (EU), the main export market for SA’s ostrich meat, is considering banning ostrich exports as the agriculture department continues to falter on the monitoring of health standards.
However, most of SA’s ostrich meat is exported with the EU its most significant market. Ostrich meat worth more than R1bn, or about 90% of total exports, goes to Europe.
A ban on those exports could damage the industry severely. An agricultural trade specialist, who declined to be named, said SA’s market was not big enough to absorb exports diverted."
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A802746
"Red meat, poultry, honey, milk and game meat had already been banned from the EU countries. Commission spokesperson Marie Antonie Kerwien told the newspaper there were concerns over quality controls at laboratories testing the safety of the ostrich meat." http://www.fin24.com/articles/default/display_article.aspx?Nav=ns&ArticleID=1518-25_2358263
Questions:
1) Was this poor media interpretation or hype ?
2) Is this just not another way for the EU to keep the European economy afloat by excluding further imports through unrealistic technicalities ? (especially during the economic downturn of 2008).
3) Is South African meat exports standards slipping ?
It will be important for the outcome to be announced with detail and transparency.
